Saggy rear springs?

[Nuffles]

I'm not sure about this one. With just one or two people in the car (it's used primarily for me to drive to work in and to get home after a night out) it's absolutely fine - handles like a dream and irons out all but the worst bumps in the 10 miles of country lane I have to drive along to get to the main road - but with three people in it it's constantly smacking the rear bump stops and God help me if I have four people in the car. I don't have particularly fat friends either Are my springs knackered or are Moggys just rubbish with any more than two people in them? I'm taking myself and two friends (plus a weekend's camping gear) on a 180 mile round journey at the beginning of July and if I can fix the rear suspension to give a better ride it'd help keep us all sane, especially as I tend to keep to B roads and country lanes to keep out of traffic's way (55mph tends to [Don't swear or you will be banned - Admin] other people on the motorway off). Any help would be appreciated. It's a 1968 4dr Saloon btw. Thanks guys.

[IslipMinor]

Are the bump stops in place at the rear and are they in good condition.

After that I would drain the rear (and front) shock absorbers and replace the fluid with a straight SAE30 engine oil, not mutligrade.

Then see what difference it makes.

[Chris Edgar]

The rear suspension in our 58 Convertible was very hard...on inspection, the back of the springs was touching the chassis section...i.e. the shackle had no-where to move on hitting a bump.

I replaced with new springs & bushes a week or so ago.
Huge improvement in ride.
Not too difficult a job, but quite physical. First one took me 3 hours, second 2 hours

If you do replace the springs, check that the dampers are OK while you are on.

Leaf springs on a non independent rear suspension are never going to be as smooth or quiet as a modern car, but they are perfectly adequate if all in good condition.

As far as motorway driving goes...if I irritate people by not going as fast as they do, that's their problem. Personally I like to use M-ways as I consider that, if the speed is reasonable, then it puts very little stress on the car compared with the stop-start traffic on the third world roads we have to put up with.

regards

Chris

[bmcecosse]

You can cut ~ 1" from the bump stops to give extra clearance - but if (as above) the spring shackle is hitting the chassis leg - then you need new springs. If you regularly carry heavy loads - consider fitting the 7 leaf Trav springs - you can always remove a leaf if you find them just TOO firm..... And Richard has pretty much listed my 'standard' cure for the dampers !

[Nuffles]

It has Spax telescopics on the front so the front lever dampers simply locate the suspension. The rear dampers were refilled just under a year ago for the MOT and both certainly still had fluid in them when I replaced both the rods that link them to the chassis a month ago - so much so I could barely move them by hand. I will try to acquire some SAE30 and flush both with new oil though, see if that helps. When I last checked ride height at the back it didn't seem low, but I'll take some photos soon and see what you guys think. Bull Motif has a spring set for £85-90 including bushes, ESM has springs for (I think) £26/spring excl bushes, are the BM ones worth the extra money if I do have to go down the new spring route?

Heavy loads aren't a regular occurrence, as I said 75% of my driving - if not more - is commuting to work/college and the odd social event but I dread having any more than one passenger in the car with me as it turns into a total pig to drive and it does happen, especially if the parents want to come for a ride or if I have a couple of friends with me.

[ASL642]

I replaced the rear springs on my Traveller (I use BM as they are local to me - no postage). What a difference. I have teles front and rear as well. Check/ replace the bump stops whilst you are at it. Worth every penny. We have a 6 man v. large tent and all the camping and the car handling is fine.

[Chris Edgar]

I bought the "total spring kit" from BM...springs, all fittings & bushes for both sides. No carriage charge if bought on line.
Very happy with it.

[Nuffles]

Ok here are a couple of pictures. At rest with nobody in the car the rear shackles are about 90* to the chassis, with no sign of touching the chassis behind them.


Bump stops are about an inch, maybe an inch and a half away from the chassis - normal? As you can see, where the bump stops hit the chassis is well used...


http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 3453_n.jpg

How would one go about making the bump stops a little shorter? Jigsaw? How much would I take off? Thanks guys.

[bmcecosse]

Just use a hacksaw and a spray bottle with water to help lubricate the cut. It only takes minutes- try to keep a taper shape on the rubber - ending up about an inch shorter.

[Nuffles]

Thank you muchly, I shall try this out when I next get the chance. I'll post back with results soon.